FBMJ attorney Joseph McGill, former Chair of the Representative Assembly and newly elected Member of the Board of Commissioners of the State Bar of Michigan, recently authored, “Welcoming the Twenty-First Century: The Rebranding of the Representative Assembly,” published in the October 2018 edition of the Michigan Bar Journal. The article reflects on the activities and analysis by the Representative Assembly of its own Rules of Permanent Procedure, and proposed rule changes at the Assembly’s biannual meeting held September 26-28 at the NEXT Conference in Grand Rapids, MI.
McGill’s article also reported on the passage of a joint resolution of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM) and the Representative Assembly (RA) identifying the need for a governance task force to re-examine the way the SBM carries out and funds its mission of jurisprudence in an environment of rapid changes and advancements in technology. Additionally, McGill summarized recommended changes to the internal operations of the Representative Assembly designed to reinvigorate and rebrand the organization.
October 2018
Welcoming the 21st Century: The Rebranding of the Representative Assembly
FBMJ attorney Joseph McGill, former Chair of the Representative Assembly and newly elected Member of the Board of Commissioners of the State Bar of Michigan, recently authored, “Welcoming the Twenty-First Century: The Rebranding of the Representative Assembly,” published in the October 2018 edition of the Michigan Bar Journal. The article
September 2018
FBMJ Client Prevails in RLUIPA Matter
FBMJ attorneys have been successful in recovering all attorney fees spent by their client, River of Life Ministries, in securing formerly denied land use approval to operate their church in Macomb County. The fees were incurred as part of their federal lawsuit, Dorman et al v Clinton Township, alleging violations
August 2018
COA: On Campus, (but) Off the Hook
On August 9, 2018, attorneys from Foley, Baron, Metzger and Juip scored a significant win at the State of Michigan Court of Appeals (COA) in the case of Abigail Schmitt v Genesys Regional Medical Center. The appeals court panel reversed a lower court’s decision and granted summary disposition to Genesys Regional
August 2018
Second Annual Motion to Strike Scores a Win for Charity
FBMJ senior attorney Dan Cortez went 3-for-3 with a two-run triple for the good guys as the defense attorneys beat the plaintiff lawyers 7-6 in the second annual Motion to Strike softball game on August 18, 2018. The event pits plaintiff medical malpractice attorneys against those who defend malpractice actions.
July 2018
Fruchey Co-Presents “A Legal Perspective on PFOS/PFAS Contamination Issues”
FBMJ attorney Ben Fruchey co-presented “A Legal Perspective on PFOS/PFAS Contamination Issues” to the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM) on July 10, 2018. The presentation provided an overview of the physical properties, regulation and remediation of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with an emphasis on
July 2018
FBMJ Attorney Wins Seat on SBM Board of Commissioners
FBMJ attorney, Joseph P. McGill, won a contested seat on the State Bar of Michigan’s (SBM) Board of Commissioners in this year’s elections. He will serve a three-year term expiring in 2021 representing attorneys in Wayne, Monroe and Lenawee counties (District H). The Board of Commissioners (BOC) was established by the Michigan
July 2018
McGill on Reimagining the SBM Representative Assembly
FBMJ attorney, Joseph P. McGill, has served his first year as Chair of the Representative Assembly for the State Bar of Michigan. Under his direction and working through the Assembly’s five standing subcommittees, the Assembly undertook numerous initiatives for consideration, each designed to improve the administration of justice and access
June 2018
COA: If It Doesn’t Change Your Mind . . .
On May 3, 2018 the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its opinion in the matter of Teri Luten v Genesys Regional Medical Center, et al., one which may provide some ammunition to Defendants in attacking Plaintiff proximate causation theories, especially in cases involving “chain of command.” In a 2-1 decision, the
June 2018
Sarah Tupica Berard Joins Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC
Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC (FBMJ) is pleased to announce that Sarah Tupica Berard has joined the firm as an Associate Principal attorney. Clyde M. Metzger, Managing Member, made the announcement. In her new position, Berard will join the Healthcare Law practice group representing physicians, nurses, physician groups, healthcare institutions, hospitals,
June 2018
McGill and Cupples Co-Author Article for CLM – “Defending Carbon Monoxide Exposure Claims”
FBMJ attorneys Joe McGill and Jennifer Cupples co-authored “Defending Carbon Monoxide Exposure Claims,” published in the May, 2018 issue of CLM Magazine. The article focuses on winning a carbon monoxide exposure claim with a thorough investigation based on recognized scientific methodology. “Defending Carbon Monoxide Exposure Claims,” discusses key elements of a